Michael Fitzgerald (Iowa politician)

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Michael Fitzgerald
25th Treasurer of Iowa
In office January 4, 1983 – January 1, 2023
Governor	Terry Branstad Tom Vilsack Chet Culver Terry Branstad Kim Reynolds
Preceded by	Maurice Baringer
Succeeded by	Roby Smith
Personal details
Born	(1951-11-29) November 29, 1951 (age 72) Marshalltown, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Education	University of Iowa (BA)

Michael L. Fitzgerald (born November 29, 1951) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 25th Treasurer of Iowa from 1983 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the longest-serving state treasurer in the United States.^[1]

Fitzgerald was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1951. His parents, James and Clara, were farmers, first near State Center and later Colo. He graduated from Colo Community High School in 1970 and received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Iowa in 1974. Fitzgerald worked as a marketing analyst for Massey Ferguson in Des Moines for eight years before being elected State Treasurer of Iowa in 1982.^[1][2]

As State Treasurer, Fitzgerald acted as Iowa's banker and chief financial officer. ^[1]

He served as administrator of Iowa's 529 plan, formerly College Savings Iowa which is a college savings advice service.^[3]

Fitzgerald administered the Invest in Iowa program, a series of auctions started in 1983 to invest state funds in Iowa financial institutions.^[4] The Linked Investments for Tomorrow (LIFT) program, introduced in 1986, also provided capital to Iowan entrepreneurs to create or expand their business.^[5]

Fitzgerald lost reelection in 2022 to Republican candidate Roby Smith.^[6] He held office for 40 years, making him the longest serving state treasurer in the United States.^[7]

Treasurer Fitzgerald considered running for Governor of Iowa against Republican incumbent Terry Branstad in 2014^[9] but decided against it.^[10]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Fitzgerald (Iowa politician).

• Appearances on C-SPAN

• Profile at Vote Smart